Public open to banning driver texting, handheld cell phone use

Washington – The public is open to bans on texting and handheld cell phone use while driving, according to a new report (.pdf file) from the Research and Innovative Technology Administration’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

BTS analyzed data collected in October 2009 from approximately 1,000 households for the Omnibus Household Survey. According to the results:

• 96.2 percent of participants agreed that drivers should not be allowed to text on a cell phone or similar device while driving.
• 80 percent agreed that drivers should not be allowed to talk on a handheld cell phone while driving.
• 38.9 percent agreed that drivers should not be allowed to use a hands-free device to talk on a cell phone while driving.
• Opposition to hands-free devices increased with age.

The report concluded that additional research is needed to reconcile the public’s perception of risky driving behaviors with actual driving behaviors.